Citizen Kane, the Greatest Film of Its Time

Title

Citizen Kane (1941)

Selected Cast

Orson Welles .... Charles Foster Kane
Joseph Cotten .... Jedediah Leland
Harry Shannon .... Kane's Father
Dorothy Comingore .... Susan Alexander Kane
Agnes Moorehead .... Mary Kane
Ruth Warrick .... Emily Monroe Norton Kane
Ray Collins .... James W. Gettys
Erskine Sanford .... Herbert Carter
Everett Sloane .... Mr. Bernstein
William Alland .... Jerry Thompson
Paul Stewart .... Raymond
Sonny Bupp .... Charles Foster Kane III
George Coulouris .... Walter Parks Thatcher
Fortunio Bonanova .... Signor Matiste
Philip Van Zandt .... Mr. Rawlston
Georgia Backus .... Bertha Anderson

Review

Citizen Kane, loosely based on the life of William Randolph Hearst, is a story driven by the friends and relatives of, recently deceased, Charles Foster Kane as they reflect on their experiences with him and try to make sense of his confusing and tragic life.

Citizen Kane, from 1942, was decades ahead of its time. The rest of the film industry did not catch up to it until 1965 with Doctor Zhivago.

What makes Citizen Kane so great is its revolutionary filmmaking. Never before had a director made such brilliant use of camera angles, lighting, and editing. Orson Welles essentially was the film. He directed, wrote, and starred in the movie. Perhaps, Welles’ engrossment in the project is what made the film so brilliantly human.

The story is captivating and held my interest all of the way through the final scene, and this film is all about the final scene. With a single image, Kane’s secret is revealed, and everything suddenly makes perfect sense.

This film is a prime example of perfection in film, and it stands as the greatest film of its time.

If you watch this film, do yourself a favor and pay close attention to everything. When the film is over, spend some time to think about the message. It just might make you re-evaluate your life.

Rating (1-10)

10

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